Round-Up: Humphreys pulls Ulster back from the Celtic fringes

Paul Trow
Sunday 26 March 2006 02:00 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Ulster opened up a three-point lead in the Celtic League with a 24-17 victory over Newport-Gwent Dragons at Ravenhill yesterday.

Bryn Cunningham, Tommy Bowe and David Humphreys touched down for Ulster with Humphreys adding three conversions and a penalty. Steve Jones and Hal Luscombe went over for the visitors and Craig Warlow kicked the rest of their points.

The day's other scheduled Celtic League fixture, between Llanelli and Munster at Stradey Park, was posponed because of a waterlogged pitch. Meanwhile, the Scotland No 8 Simon Taylor will miss Edinburgh's trip to the Ospreys today due to a back injury.

Leeds, seven points adrift of 11th-placed Saracens, begin a five-match quest for Guinness Premiership survival when they visit the champions, Wasps, today.

After hosting Saracens at Headingley on Friday night, they then travel to London Irish and host Gloucester before completing their league programme at Newcastle on 6 May. Leeds welcome back their Scotland internationals Gordon Ross and Gavin Kerr, and call up prop Rayno Gerber, hooker Rob Rawlinson and flanker Dan Hyde.

Wasps include Josh Lewsey, Mark van Gisbergen and Joe Worsley, who all agreed new club contracts earlier this week.

Saracens, hosts to Worcester today, have made one change from the side who recently beat Sale 15-9, with prop Kevin Yates replacing Nick Lloyd. Worcester, buoyed by a victory over Wasps, welcome back their captain, Pat Sanderson, who has not played since January due to a back injury.

The England centre Jamie Noon will sit out Newcastle's Kingston Park clash against Northampton because he is still recovering from the blow he suffered to his head against Ireland last weekend.

Northampton, one place below Newcastle in eighth, have named their England duo Ben Cohen and Steve Thompson, and the full-back Bruce Reihana makes his 100th appearance in Saints colours.

In National League One, Bedford pulled to within eight points of leaders Harlequins with a 34-28 home successs over Plymouth Albion. But Quins visit Cornish Pirates today.

In the Super 14, Highlanders shaded South Africa's Cats 16-14 in Invercargill while Western Force lost 30-21 in Perth to the Bulls.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in